AN://So I am a little bit behind on my postings, seeing as Knockout aired a while ago, and I had this mostly written after it was finished. But now I have completed it. I give myself a pat on the back for this small accomplishment.
Summary: A missing scene from "Knockout". Tony had other reasons why he didn't want Tara to go through his wallet.
"What's this?"
"Tony I think she found your-"
"My wallet!"
"Can you prove that it's yours"
"Well yeah if you open it up you're going to see my big fat smiling head on the drivers license."
"Well there seems to something else here. You're making a circular crease in the leather?"
"That would probably be a-"
"I think she knows what it is."
"Now why wouldn't you want me to see it? Could it be that it's nearing its expiration date?"
"She doesn't know anything. Get out of the car!"
The conversation was fresh in his mind as if it had happened moments before; and he couldn't help the self deprecating sigh that left his lips as he thought about it. The case had been wrapped up and Tara was on her way back to Chicago but he couldn't stop his unease.
He knew that she knew, and he knew that Gibbs knew; but he had no idea if anyone else knew. He hoped no one else did. He could easily explain it to Tara, could easily cover up his real feelings with lies but he knows for a fact that she didn't really believe him. He'd seen the way she'd smirked at Ziva whenever they were all in the room together and he could only hope that she did not speak a word of her knowledge.
He pulled out his wallet, fingering the worn leather with deft fingers. His mind trailed back to when his wallet had been found. He didn't really care if Tara or McGee knew that the condom in his wallet was nearing its expiration date, he was more worried about what they would find behind the condom.
He opened the flaps of his wallet and stared at the circle that had indented itself into the leather. He looked around the empty office before he stuck his fingers into the fold that contained the condom. He pulled out the condom, quickly laying it across the desk before his fingers found their way back into fold. The tips of his fingers caressed the glossy surface that lay inside and he gently tugged not wanting to ruin the object with any tears or crinkles.
He smiled gently as the object left the confines of the leather; he tossed his wallet on top of his desk before unfolding the paper that he clutched in his fingers.
He stared at the picture that was in his hands a small smile upon his lips as he traced the contours on the paper.
Ziva, she looked so beautiful with the Los Angeles sunlight playing with her hair and dancing off her skin. Her eyes were alight with that playful banter he'd been missing ever since his came back from his time as Agent Afloat.
This was the real reason he didn't want anyone to look inside his wallet, he didn't want anyone to know of the picture he held within. It made him happy to have her picture with him everywhere he went, it was almost as though she was with him always and when his wallet had vanished his heart had plummeted.
He had thought it to be some sort of sign; his wallet vanishing with the precious picture of Ziva held inside could only mean that Ziva was lost to him, sure he had copies of the picture but this one seemed to be symbolic. He'd had that feeling for some time now and this only seemed to solidify that.
When his wallet was found his hope returned. He couldn't contain his joy at the mere thought. As long as he had this picture of Ziva he knew she wouldn't be lost to him. They always found their way back to each other. No matter what.
"Pick the right woman."
He had the right woman picked out; now all he had to do was make her see.
A little less angst! ^_^
Reviews would be fantastic!